All Blacks keep faith with Lions heroes

New Zealand have kept faith with the players who recorded a series whitewash over the British & Irish Lions for their opening Tri-Nations clash against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday. [more]

Lions Australia Tour 2013

New Zealand have kept faith with the players who recorded a series whitewash over the British & Irish Lions for their opening Tri-Nations clash against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

Question marks were raised earlier in the week about the fitness of flanker Richie McCaw after a mystery illness, but he has been passed fit to play.

In the backs, regular full-back Mils Muliaina shifts to wing to cover the injured Sitiveni Sivivatu, while Leon MacDonald dons the number 15 jersey.

Joe Rokocoko, who has scored 27 tries in 23 Test matches, is named on the bench along with Wellington half-back Piri Weepu and specialist number seven Marty Holah.

New Zealand: L MacDonald; R Gear, T Umaga (captain), A Mauger, M Muliaina; D Carter, B Kelleher; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, C Hayman, C Jack, A Williams, J Collins, R McCaw, R So’oialo.

Replacements: D Witcombe, G Somerville, J Ryan, M Holah, P Weepu, L McAlister, J Rokocoko.

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